There many reasons why cats make great pets. Apart from the affection they give, cats also serve a practical purpose by keeping pests out of the house. With a cat in your home, you aren't likely to worry about fending off these nuisances.
Don't let your cats play with drape cords. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled. This is an extreme choking hazard and should be prevented at all costs. Keep your drape cords pinned out of sight to prevent this.
A heated tile can be positioned beneath the bed of a mature cat. Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. Place it in an older towel and place it underneath of the feline's bed. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
It is a good idea to microchip your cat. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. Cats can get out of a collar or, worse, have that collar choke them to death. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. Most shelters and veterinarians can scan your pet to read the information on the chip, and the chip cannot be lost since it is beneath the skin.
You should create a tablecloth for the cats in your home. Cats will sometimes pluck food from the bowl and enjoy it straight off the ground. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. Use a placemat under your cat's bowl or cut some fabric to create a small tablecloth. Shake the placemat or cloth over the garbage regularly.
When purchasing a tiny kitty as gift for the kids, it's best to establish boundaries well ahead of the arrival. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. Make sure that your children know if the cat is strictly an indoor cat. Knowing the rules ahead will help your child understand.
Brush your cat's fur regularly. It helps with blood flow, and it also moves the natural oils around in the fur. It will also minimize hair loss. Doing so reduces the occurrence of hairballs, which are a choking risk. It also benefits the cat's stomach by reducing the animal's need to clean itself.
Dogs let you know when they are excited and/or happy when they wag their tails. Cats wag their tails for very different reasons than dogs though. A cat that is flicking its tail is either feeling threatened or predatory and is considering his next move. If a cat you are holding starts flicking his tail, then it is time to put him down.
Give the cat a collar with your contact information. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, there is that small chance he or she might get out one day. If this occurs, make sure they can return home.
You should not let your de-clawed cat outdoors. Without claws, your cat is essentially defenseless against other animals. This is a dangerous situation for the cat. Indoor cats are the only type of cat that needs to be declawed. The front claws should be the only ones removed. There is no need to remove the back claws since the cat does not use them when clawing furniture or fabric.
Keep an eye out on panting. Dogs normally pant on a regular basis. Your cat may pant if it is anxious or overheated, but panting may also indicate a more serious problem. Contact your vet right away, especially if they've had respiratory issues a while back.
Preventing hairballs can help keep your cat sanitary and safe. You can try adding a teaspoon or so of pumpkin to your cat's food. A teaspoon or so of water from a can of tuna can also be mixed in with the pumpkin. Some cat foods even have anti-hairball benefits.
If you adopted a cat while you were unemployed and it is now time for you to return to work, your cat may get very lonely around the house. If you want to keep them from getting bored while you are away from home, you should think about getting another cat.
Make dry food the foundation of your cat's diet. Wet food is appropriate for young kittens because they have still-developing teeth which are small and delicate. However, as their teeth grow, the hardness of dry food allows their teeth to get stronger. If your kitty is especially finicky, you can try feeding him a mix of dry and wet food.
Millions of pet owners infinitely prefer the company of cats to that of barking, drooling dogs. Cats are great hunters and can make kills more frequently than dogs at times. With so much going for them, the cat's popularity is easy to see.